To help address the needs of former justice-system-involved individuals that are beginning to return to our area, the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board launched the Project Reconnect program in July. Project Reconnect aims to help individuals transition from incarceration to employment while preventing recidivism, allowing them to reconnect with their families and communities fully.
These returning citizens often have minimal financial resources (or none at all) and struggle with the most basic needs, like housing and medical care. Project Reconnect will help with these basic needs and provide training and career services once a person’s living situation stabilizes.
A grant from the Thompson Charitable Foundation is funding the Project Reconnect program. Currently, the funding is only available for Buchanan and Tazewell counties. Still, the WDB hopes this program will serve as a solid foundation that will allow us to apply for grant funding for other counties.
If you or someone you know has recently returned to the community from incarceration and is living in Buchanan or Tazewell counties, don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we can help!
